We had a split stay in March. We arrived for one night - left the next day for two days in Iguazzu Falls - then returned for two more nights prior to a cruise departure. We had checked directly with Best Western to make sure we could leave our large "cruise" bags for the two nights and this worked out very well.
The Hotel directly faces the Ipanema Beach - across a major street; but that is the way things are here. The drive up area is small, as is the lobby. There is a small bar in the lobby. The desk clerk was friendly and helpful, and he spoke pretty good English. We had arrived quite early - the 7:30 Delta from Atlanta; so naturally our room was not ready; but this worked out okay.
Our room was on the 9th floor facing towards the mountains since we had not opted for the more expensive beach view. We did not plan to spend much time gazing out the windows anyway.
The room was decent sized, with an adequate closet. The bathroom had a granite sink top. This is Brazil, which has granite everywhere! One slightly weird set-up. The hall lobbies are very dark, with adeqaute lighting only being turn on by motion sensers when you leave the elevator or your room.
Breakfast was served in a room on the 2d floor and overlooked the beach. It was included in the room rate and was pretty good with a couple of hot entrees. Brazilian coffee should be good, and it is and the people watching while lingering over a second cup was fun. The Hotel is close to the main shopping and eating district of Ipanema; but this is not an area which seems to run to luxury dining. We attempted to eat at one restaurant which had been recommended by both Lonely Planet and Fodor's, but it was closed. As usual in South America, restaurants do not open for dinner until 7:30 P.M. We did find a couple of decent ones however, although everyting is a la carte, and they charge for the bread unless you clearly reject it.
We were using the hotel as a base of operations to see the city, and it worked quite well for that. We did note that on one of our
tours,which we privately arranged, and had only six people; that one couple was staying at the Sheraton Barra. This may be a nice hotel, but it is way south beyond the beach and anything you can walk to. Our guide was a South African emigree to Brazil who has spent a lot of time in the US. He is Jonathan VanSpeier'
E-mail: [-], and he does a nice job once you have negotiated your itinerary and price.
Overall the Sol Ipenema is not a resort hotel, but quite adeqaute for a base of operations in touring the city. The staff was generally quite pleasant, but their directions to a supermercado in order to buy wine totally failed to reveal one.
Also: If you plan to buy reales through an ATM - make sure your bank knows you are going to. After success in our first attempts in Rio and in Iguazzu Falls, we were rejected on our return to Rio. Things straightened out in Barcelona though. Go figure!.

Just got back from a week long stay (Friday through Friday) on our honeymoon to Rio. We have only great things to say, here are some highlights:

1) Arrived at hotel at 9:00AM on Friday morning from red-eye flight and requested an early check-in (we got it, BUT we called ahead)
2) Free breakfast buffet every day from 6:00 - 10:00 (if you are thinking gigantic American buffet you will be disappointed but do have STRONG Brazilian coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, cereal, fruit, great pastries, assorted meats/cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, toast, fresh fruit juice)
3) Hotel provides complimentary umbrellas/chairs for the beach (costs ~R$6 for umbrella/chair on beach)
4) Located ACROSS THE STREET from one of the world's most amazing beaches
5) Located ONE BLOCK from the world famous Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) restaurant. Good and reasonably priced food.
6) Located TWO BLOCKS from a CITI ATM to get cash (secure glassed in area, not on the street)
7) Located THREE BLOCKS from the Hippie Fair Market that is held on Sundays with great souvenirs, art, and other nick-nacks
8) Hotel is clean, modern (by Brazilian standards), and front desk attendants speak english
9) We checked out on Friday morning and had a flight at 9PM that night. We left our bags at the hotel, hit the beach all day, and then had the hotel order us a car to take us to the airport at 6:00. They let us change clothes in their restroom.
10) Amazing/scenic views from the oceanfront room and the bar/pool area on the roof

OTHER ITEMS:
* Using the room safe was R$3/day (about $US2 at the current rate, not a big deal)
* Wireless internet provided but does cost $R30/day (about $US18/day, up to you if you need constant connectivity)
* We booked through a local agent , IPACOM, and got $R319.00/night + 15% tax for an oceanview room on 8th floor. If you call direct the rates are higher.
* Rooms are cleaned daily, restrooms are clean, shower has great pressure and hot water!
* There is a main road that goes by the hotel so there is traffic at night, but you are in a HUGE Latin American city... didn't affect our sleep but we did come in late after enjoying night life
* Their prices seem to be fairly constant, but the dollar is weak (now around $R1.67 per $US1.00, used to be about 4 to 1 several years ago)


GENERAL COMMENTS:
This hotel is in Brazil, it will not be as spacious as what you might expect in the US, everything is smaller. That said we felt it was comfortable, clean, and safe (what else do you need?). Also, we felt that if we gave them notice they were more than happy to accommodate us on our requests. Keep in mind we went during the late summer after the busy New Years and Carnaval weekends, probably a lot crazier during those weekends. Our advice, be patient, smile, have fun, and enjoy Brazil!

I stayed at Best Western Sol Ipanema Hotel for a week during December 2007. I lost the key to the safe in my room - and I had to pay $140 for the hotel staff had to drill through the lock to open the safe and replace the lock. As a result of the drilling, metal splinters fell to the floor all around the safe. The staff did not clean the splinters for several hours after the safe was repaired. In that time, some of the splinters stuck to my socks.

That day, I had a business meeting. During the meeting, the metal splinters in my shoes started stabbing into my feet - which ultimately caused me to take my shoe and sock off during the meeting. I saw the splinters and realized they were from the safe lock.

I returned to the hotel and explained to the desk manager, Paulo, that I had splinters in my foot due the the staff's negligence in delaying the clean-up of the splinters. I suggested that the hotel waive the $140 charge for replacing the lock as compensation for their negligence and the pain and embarrassment (from plucking splinters at a meeting) that resulted. Paulo laugh at me a little and said I would have to speak to his supervisor tomorrow morning.

The next morning, I spoke to Paulo's supervisor, Claudio. I explained the circumstances to Claudio, and he laughed a little - and asked me to take off my shoe and sock at the front desk (in front of other guests) to prove to him that I still had splinters in my foot. Even though it was a bit humiliating, I did what he asked - and showed him my foot over the front desk. Claudio said that he would have to speak to his off-site supervisor to find out if he could offer any compensation. He called his supervisor and told me that they would not be able to do anything for me - notwithstanding their consistently negligence, glib attitude, lack of sympathy, rudeness, and generally poor service.

Update:

I called Best Western Headquarters and explained the whole story. They made me explain the story to three different people before they said that Best Western does not offer customers compensation for poor service or a bad stay at their hotel. They said that the only reason that Best Western offers compensation is for personal injury that can be proven by insurance documentation.

Well - I won't be return to a Best Western any time soon. You decide.

My wife and I stayed in the hotel from Jan 20th - 26 and it was a
great choice. the location cannot be beat. The staff was very helpful and made us feel welcome and safe. The rooms are simple but very clean and functional (the city and beach are the stars after all). The breakfast was perfect to start the day and the beach and every landmark was close to the hotel.
I was very worried about security but found that Ipanema is much safer than than your average Mexican resort as well as less high pressure (we actually had to look for stuff for our kids and friends to take back home). Atms are plentiful and easy to use (thank you Jon and Rayna for the tip). The cabs are very safe and cheap. I would go back in a heartbeat to this Hotel. The City is one of a kind . Do yourself a favor and give it a try. My wife and I want to bring our two young kids to see the beauty that is Rio.